RUMCars Forum
General Category => Microcar Events => Topic started by: Bob Purton on October 09, 2013, 11:32:16 PM
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I have never been to this before but am thinking of attending this year. Is anyone else going? Is it worth going?
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Having been for the last few years I feel a bit been there done that . Apart from the 2 micro stands there's little for me . The motorcycle stands are good . Jumble very poor . So decided to skip it and spend time and money elsewhere this year . I will miss it , I get the impression that the main Micro clique barely stray from the stand , I may be wrong .....
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This year again there will be three Microcar stands all located together. Heinkel Trojan Club, Isetta Owners Club and NMCR will be working hard over the 3 days promoting our hobby, makes, models, clubs and rallies. For those who are planning to attend make sure you visit www.national-microcar-rally.co.uk before hand as there are details about reduced ticket prices.
As Richard has mentioned the auto jumble is not what it used to be but the bike show and its auto jumble is well worth a visit and many have had luck with finding parts. Not aware of any 'clique' in attendance but perhaps I not allowed to be in the know ;). I expect the Peel Mafia will be in attendance though.......
The primary aim of all those involved is to raise the profile of our hobby and we are succeeding. Over the last few years there has been acknowledgement from those at 'higher levels' that out cars and stands are worthy of awards and easily compete with the old favourites at such shows.
Grant
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Good points well made Grant . I was trying to reply specifically to Bob' question - is it worth going ? The 3 Micro stands are very impressive and have always got a lot of attention from the general public, very glad they are there and flying the flag. BUT what is there for a microman other than what he has already seen at Malvern ? The Motorcycle jumble does sometimes have something of interest but so do the numerous local autojumbles .
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I get the impression that the main Micro clique barely stray from the stand
How can they when so many people want to look at and know about the microcars on the stands?
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I will be at this show on Friday, who else is going?
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Hi Bob
I am going up on Thursday having a meal with my daughter and going to the show on Friday - see you there ;D
Mike
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now of course wish i was going - have a great weekend all - some of us will be oiling the wheels of commerce tomorrow !
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Poor old Richard. We will spare a thought for you as we totally immerse our selves in the intoxicating world of classic vehicle! As we converse all day at the microcar stands and gaze admiringly at the breath-taking display of vintage motorcycles! Drinking coffee with old microchums etc etc etc! Change your mind yet???? ;D ;D ;D
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afraid not. i tell you what could anyone take black and white photo's at the show ? get some real period feel to them i would like to see the comparison as i often prefer the b/w PLEASE - PRETTY PLEASE
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You should be able to change your polychrome photos on your computer to monochrome like this.
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Never thought to Rob . What I meant was to use black and white film . I haver seen a modern and colour photo that could get anywhere near the quality of that last Bruetsch photo I posted . So much for progress ???
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Dear Richard
My brother had an old commerce that had been built as a motor caravan. It was deadly slow. He took the whole family down to Greece in it. I would not have taken it to the end of the road.
What colour is your one?
Chris Thomas
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the colour of my commerce is immaterial but the wheels are well oiled - one of my best days business ever- strange really . hope the show was as good as usual , looking forward to photos
i suppose you could say he Greeced his wheels perhaps that made it slower - did he go via Bedford or the Thames
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Never thought to Rob . What I meant was to use black and white film . I haver seen a modern and colour photo that could get anywhere near the quality of that last Bruetsch photo I posted . So much for progress ???
It was probably taken with a medium format film camera, something like an MPP or a Speed Graphic with a 5x4" negative. The camera would have set you back the equivalent of about £2500 at today's prices (and good ones haven't dropped a great deal in price since then). Medium format digital equivalents are now available, and obviously have the advantage of being able to take hundreds of pics without reloading, but you're looking at more like £6500 to start - although you could always hire one.
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/article/12/Hire.html (http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/article/12/Hire.html)
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Now back from the NEC, a great show, I walked my legs off looking at all the exhibits, most impressive. I wont post pics yet in case of spoiler alert.
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the NEC i well worth a visit, but not much bubble stuff ;D
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Pedant alert! Having used many cameras I would class 120 roll film cameras as Medium Format, and 5 x 4" and 10 x 8" cameras as Large Format!
Whilst it is true that Medium and Large format do produce far higher quality photographs, I agree with Richard's implication that film itself gives a better quality picture than an electronic representation of B&W. In fact a good quality B&W photo can be far more beautiful and striking than man a colour photo.
My Dad bought a Commer(ce) Highwayman Camper after he sold our old Bedford CA Dormobile, far more room for a family of 6 and a bit faster too.
Yet again this year I was unable to go to this show, ...one day!
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I was fascinated by this Austin seven special, very reminiscent of the Metropolitan around the door area. Not a true microcar I know but pretty small!
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Not too sure about the doors and the roofline, but i like what they did with the front.
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Just a few example of the microcars on display at the show.
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As you posed the original question bob what's the answer then ? Was it worth it ? And having been do you think you will be going next year ?
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Good question! Yes, it was worth going but I wouldn't feel the need to go every year. If there was a decent autojumble there then it would be another story.
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The Austin 7 Special is a little ungainly but I love it! We used to see plenty of Metropolitans in Montevideo when I were a young lad, one of my favourite cars back then.
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I always remember seeing lots of Metropolitans when I was growing up in Walthamstow (or perhaps it was seeing the same one lots of times). I don't think I can recall any other car which managed to be both fantastically eye-catching yet bland all at the same time. You'd run over to see what it was then stop half-way. Having seen a few Nash Ramblers subsequently, they somehow manage the same effect but on a larger scale.
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Well I certainly ran over to look at this display of them. I know what you mean, they are a brick but somehow much more than a brick! Must be the colour schemes.
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I always remember seeing lots of Metropolitans when I was growing up in Walthamstow (or perhaps it was seeing the same one lots of times). I don't think I can recall any other car which managed to be both fantastically eye-catching yet bland all at the same time. You'd run over to see what it was then stop half-way. Having seen a few Nash Ramblers subsequently, they somehow manage the same effect but on a larger scale.
I was born in Whipps Cross Hospital and spent just the first four years growing-up in Walthamstow with family around. I doubt we met :)
Compare the vehicles in question.
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And I had always thought a Nash Rambler was a Metroplitan in case anyone thought different I know very little ;) I like the Metropolitan too but what is a Nash Rambler then ?
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And whilst we are on Nash -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1951-Nash-Airflyte-Ambassador-Super-Immaculate-onre-of-two-survivors-in-uk/290961204658?_trksid=p11021.m2364&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D216%26meid%3D2832043746362127948%26pid%3D100084%26prg%3D1115%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D190975539209%26&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160
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And I had always thought a Nash Rambler was a Metroplitan in case anyone thought different I know very little ;) I like the Metropolitan too but what is a Nash Rambler then ?
Here you are ..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Metropolitan
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Thanks Rob so they are the same car I anyway its not micro and Barry that's about as far as you can be off micro !
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Sorry, my fault for straying off microcars.
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it was just barrys link to a HUGE Nash :o
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This is a photo of a Nash Rambler. The Metropolitan is it's smaller brother. The Rambler was built in the USA while the Metropolitan was built in the UK where it was sold as an Austin Metropolitan. It was also exported to the USA and sold as the Nash Metropolitan. I'm not sure if there were any differences between the two other than which side the steering wheel was on.
There is a microcar link as the "little Nash Rambler" featured in the lyrics of the US version of the Playmates song Beep Beep, whereas in the UK version of the song they substituted a bubble car in it's place. I've always assumed that the "little" Nash Rambler they are singing about is the Metropolitan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Rambler (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_Rambler)
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When we moved to Washington DC in 1964 my dad's first car was a Rambler Cross Country Sedan Station Wagon, yello with brown fake wood side panels; thnaks to Rob for the link to Wiki, I never knew the Metroploitan's interesting story, and fascinated to learn of its link with Beep Beep!
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Hi All
I've been updating the NMCR's website, to give details of their stand at the 2013 Classic Motor Show. Unfortunately, this year I wasn't on the stand myself, and I've not received many pictures to use. In fact, I've got none at all on some of the cars.
So, if you were at the show, and took some shots of the splendid micros on the NMCR stand ... could you let me have 'em, please, pretty please?
You can send any by email to: miller _ d10 @ sky . com (but do get rid of all the protective spaces that I put in that!)
Thanks,
Dave Miller
(And Bob - you'll notice I've already used the pics you posted here. Hope you don't mind.)
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Don't mind at all! Glad they were of use.
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I have vague memories that Archie Fraser-Nash was also involved in the Metroplolitan. I think he was involved in the GN sports/trials cycle cars and various other car business including being a BMW dealer. Anone know anything about this?